Two classes of Angiosperms
Based on number of seed leaves (cotyledones)
- Monocots - lillies
- Dicots
Dicots Traits
Two seed leaves
Netted leaf veins
Flower parts in 4s & 5s
Primary taproot
Stem vascular bundles are in a ring
Pollen mostly tricopate (three pores)
>50% are woody
Monocot Traits
One seed leaf
Parallel leaf veins
Flower parts in 3s
Fibrous root system
Stem vascular bundles are scattered
Pollen mostly monosulcate (single pore)
<10% woody
Meristem
refers to a tissue that contains actively dividing cells
4 Types of Meristems
- Apical meristems
- Axillary buds with axillary meristems
- Lateral meristems
- Intercalary meristems
Apical Meristem
Meristem at the top of the plant that give rise to a series of leaves or the reproductive flower, and adds shoot length/height
aka primary meristem
Lamina
Leaf blade
Petiole
Leaf stalk
Tiller
Basic unit of a grass plant (monocot)
Arise from axillary buds located in the basal apical meristem and refer to all shoots that arise after the initial parental shoot grows from the seed
Lateral meristems
meristems that produce tissues that increase the girth (diameter/width) of roots and meristems
secondary growth
Intercalary meristem
A meristem between two differentiated tissues that facilitates longitudinal growth of plant organs independent of the activity of the apical meristem
found in monocots
where leaf growth happens in grasses
Axillary meristem
An axillary bud between the leaf petiole and the stem
